By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Memorial Day morning started with the quiet beauty of a clear blue sky and brilliant sun. Mother Nature was gracious in holding out for the parade services, which featured the Brandywine High School, Niles Junior High and High School bands, the Niles City Fire Department, a float by the Four Flags Apple Festival and more.
On a day for which many take time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifices made by those in military uniform – and remember those currently serving in the United States armed forces around the world – a sense of nostalgia hung in the air as the parade made its way through the street. There was that feeling of the old welcome home parades for soldiers returning home after long tours overseas.
And as the wind picked up towards the beginning of the Memorial Day service at Silverbrook Cemetery, the clouds beginning to look a little ominous – it was as if Mother Nature was reminding everyone just how heavy those sacrifices can be.
Guest speaker and Parade Grand Marshall, Dr. Mimi Faustino-Inocencio gave an emotionally charged speech to the crowd that had followed the parade into the cemetery. She spoke of her own connection to America, having lived during the Battle of Manilla. She praised the United States military as well as the heart of those Americans that make America what it is today. The crowd listened quietly. Intently.
"Since 1868, America has celebrated Memorial Day to honor its fallen heroes," Faustino-Inocencio said.
She recounted seeing a female soldier just a few days prior, a Lieutenant, the sight of which had been an inspiration and gave a special message to female soldiers. "You have served and are serving magnificently in the military," she said. "I'm so proud of you."
Faustino-Inocencio noted all of the ultimate sacrifices made by United States soldiers during wartime. "This debt is not ours alone," she said.
As Faustino-Inocencio spoke, she called cemeteries in which United States rest – "pieces" of America -and told the story of one hero in particular, a soldier whose grave she'd seen in Brittany, France, while on a trip to Europe with her husband.
The cemetery in Brittany, Faustino-Inocencio said, was "overshadowed" by the more popular and noted cemetery at Normandy. Implying that many cemeteries like the one in Brittany, many pieces of America, could possibly be overshadowed, Faustino-Inocencio asked of the soldiers who rest in them, "have they been completely forgotten?"
As her speech came to its end, Faustino-Inocencio drew on her personal experience during the Battle of Manilla and remembered the soldiers that she had seen during that time. "You see," she said. "I am one of the rescued."
"As for me, the magic of America will never be over," she added. "It has been about real life, real death and real sacrifice."
Standing off to the side, was the female Lieutenant Faustino-Inocencio had been speaking about at the beginning of her speech. As she took her seat, Master of Ceremonies and Berrien County Commissioner for Niles Larry Clymer invited the young soldier to take a seat on the pavilion with the rest of the speakers.
Mayor Mike McCauslin also spoke to the crowd, as the wind picked up and the clouds loomed. "On behalf of a grateful community, we thank you," he said, addressing those serving in uniform.
"Democracy is not free," he added. "It comes at a cost."
The service drew to a close with an official salute and the sound of echoing gunfire. The familiar hum of taps was both reflective and somewhat comforting. The sun came out again and attendants left the cemetery as it were: a little "piece" of America.